NEPN/NSBA Code: IHD-R
MSAD #15 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADOPTED 12/16/98
These procedures govern the operations of the Adult and Community Education Program. The Director of Adult and Community Education (the Director) is responsible for administration of the programs offered.
PROGRAMS
The following programs will be offered as part of the Adult and Community Education program when resources permit and there are a sufficient number of students to offer the program.
1. High School Completion Program. This program provides the opportunity to earn a GNG High School diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). All required high school credit courses will be offered. If there are enough students for a class one will be scheduled. Otherwise tutorial arrangements will be made. The Director will complete a preliminary evaluation of credits for all students prior to admission.
Admission requirements: To be eligible, the student must:
a. Be at least 18 years of age and have been out of high school for at least one year; or
b. Be at least 16 years of age and not enrolled in high school, and have permission of parent, High School Principal, Director, and Superintendent. A diploma will not be awarded until the studentŐs class has graduated from high school.
2. Adult Basic Literacy Program. This program provides help in learning how to read. To be eligible, the student must be at least 17 years of age and have a reading level below eighth grade level. Records of the studentŐs participation in this program will be kept confidential.
3. Vocational Courses. These courses are designed to increase the skills of participants in their current occupations or to assist them gaining skills to seek new vocations. To be eligible, the student must be at least 18 years of age unless approved by parent, High School Principal, Director, and Superintendent. Vocational courses can be counted toward a high school diploma.
4. Personal Enrichment Courses. These are skill or information courses addressing the varying interests of community members. To be eligible, the student must be at least 18 years of age unless approved by parent and Director. These courses cannot be counted toward a high school diploma unless an exception is approved by the High School Principal and Director, such as aerobics counting as part of a physical education requirement.
COURSE OFFERINGS
The Director will convene an Advisory Committee to meet at least twice yearly to advise the Director on course offerings, and to provide guidance on the direction of the overall program. The Committee will review course enrollments and student feedback in making recommendations. The Committee will include community members, former adult ed students, a Board member and a District administrator (individuals may fill more than one of these roles).
DIPLOMA CREDITS
In addition to the credits earned toward a high school diploma as described in Policy IKE Student Placement, adults earning a diploma through adult education can earn credits in the following ways. Prior to awarding credit for any of the following, guidelines must be developed for each including what documentation is needed and the criteria to be used by the Director in making decisions about awarding credit. The Director will evaluate documentation provided and determine whether to award credit and how much to award.
1. Correspondence School: at most one (1) credit for documented completion of each 45 hours of correspondence study.
2. Apprenticeships: at most two (2) credits for completing an apprenticeship program approved by the Maine State Apprenticeship Council.
3. Military Service: at most one (1) credit for military service resulting in an honorable discharge after not less than two (2) successive years , or after a minimum of six (6) years in the National Guard or in the Reserves .
4. Work Experience: at most one (1) credit for three (3) consecutive years of work experience or home-making and at most two (2) credits for five (5) consecutive years of work experience or home-making.
5. Volunteer Work: at most two (2) credits for participation in planned volunteer work activity, with each credit representing a minimum of two (2) years volunteer service with the same organization and a minimum of five (5) hours per week.
6. Independent Study: at most two (2) credits for independent study where the plan meets the criteria of Policy 3.01 Student Placement.
7. Career Exploration: at most two (2) credits for career exploration experience which allows the individual the opportunity to explore, study, observe, job shadow and have practicum experience in business, industry, institutions and agencies, with each credit representing a minimum of one (1) semester or forty-five (45) hours.
8. Competency Testing: Eligible adults may be allowed to demonstrate competency by testing one (1) credits in each of four (4) subjects. Test instruments will be constructed by MSAD 15 teachers with the grade level identified. Students must pass the final exam with a grade no less than C.
GRANTS AND FEES
Adult and community education programs will rely on local tax revenues as little as possible, based on fees, grants and state subsidy. There is no cost to the student for diploma or literacy programs. For all other courses, books and other instructional materials will be paid for by the student. Tuition for vocational courses shall be based on the cost to MSAD 15 in addition to subsidy and grants. Fees for personal enrichment courses will be established by the Superintendent to make this program self-sustaining on an annual basis. The fee shall be established for each course prior to registration and the Director will determine whether there is sufficient enrollment to offer the course. If enrollment is insufficient for a Vocational or personal enrichment course, the Director will consult with registered students and the instructor to determine whether to cancel the course or increase the registration fee.
Non-residents may be charged an additional fee if the Superintendent determines that a course is supported by local tax revenues. All revenues from grants, subsidy or fees will be accounted for as required in and will be subject to annual audit by the MSAD 15 auditor.
The Director will be responsible for submitting all state reports necessary to receive subsidy and all grant applications to support programs offered.
REGISTRATION
Vocational and personal enrichment course offerings will be advertised prior to each semester in a flier mailed to each household. There will be a registration period of at least two weeks for these courses. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis regardless of residency.
EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL
The Director is responsible for hiring instructors for the duration of a course, subject to approval of the Superintendent. All other Adult and Community Education personnel will be hired by the Superintendent. The Director is responsible for evaluating all personnel, as provided in Policy GCR Evaluation of Stipended Personnel. Continued employment of instructors is at the discretion of the Director and Superintendent.
Cross Reference: IHD Adult & Community Education
GCR Evaluation of Stipended Personnel
IKE Student Placement